LSE MSc Health Policy Supplemental Essay Example: Research Pathway (Score 93)

My quantitative preparation for the MSc Health Policy programme is grounded in both formal coursework and applied research experience. At the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, I completed modules in biostatistics, epidemiology, and quantitative methods for public health policy, where I developed proficiency in SPSS and R for statistical analysis. In group projects, I applied regression analysis and basic econometric techniques to examine health service utilisation disparities across Lima’s coastal districts. Additionally, I worked with STATA to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of regional health expenditure data, focusing on the relationship between funding allocation and health outcomes in peri-urban communities. I recognise that while my foundation in descriptive and inferential statistics is strong, my exposure to advanced econometric modelling and causal inference methods remains limited. For example, I have not yet carried out instrumental variable analysis or structural equation modelling, both of which are relevant to the advanced modules at LSE. To address these gaps, I have enrolled in a pre-sessional online course in advanced quantitative methods offered by Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, focusing on multivariate analysis and policy evaluation techniques. I am also independently reviewing LSE’s recommended readings on quantitative policy analysis to ensure I can engage confidently with the programme’s methodological demands from the outset. My applied outputs include a policy memo for the Peruvian Ministry of Health, where I quantified the impact of targeted subsidies on maternal health service uptake using logistic regression in R. I also contributed to a health equity analysis for a Lima-based NGO, generating data visualisations and summary statistics that informed their advocacy strategy. For my undergraduate thesis, I built a reproducible code appendix in STATA, which details each step of my analysis on the association between socioeconomic status and access to preventive care in coastal Peru. If the committee requires further evidence of my quantitative preparation, I can provide anonymised datasets, code appendices from my thesis, or a sample analyst note demonstrating my approach to health policy data. I am also prepared to sit a diagnostic assessment or complete a methods-based task if requested.